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Dr. Kevin James Guthrie

Dr. Kevin James Guthrie

GREENSBORO — The good Doctor Kevin James Guthrie lived a life extraordinary.

The seventh child of twelve, he arrived to bless his parents in Queens, N.Y., on the 27th of Feb., 1939. His youth was filled with shenanigans and chicanery! He survived the city streets and catholic school with a wit, guile and twinkle in his eye that became his hallmark charm. From his family he learned a love so large it was hard to be contained. From his siblings he learned how to use that love to take care of others.

In 1963, while serving in the U.S. Army medical corps in Okinawa, he hiked up the mountain during Obon to record the festival on reel-to-reel. It took a very long extension cord. He was resourceful! With the same reel-to reel he listened to Beethoven while studying to fulfill his dream. He wanted to be a doctor. Upon his discharge in 1965 he returned home to make it reality. He met the love of his life in Rochester, N.Y., in 1965 while flying wingman for one of his brothers on a double blind date. He always claimed the brother was the charmer, but he won the girl. They became husband and wife on Sept. 2, 1967. With her support he realized his goal, graduating from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1973. They had two boys. They traveled the world. They settled down and built a life in Greensboro, N.C. Not necessarily in that order.

Dr. Guthrie was an entrepreneur. His practice, Optimum Eye Vision Care Center, served the Piedmont for 30 years with offices in five cities at its peak. He was civic minded and socially active. A member of Rotary International, the Greensboro Jaycees, the Elks and the Greensboro Old Timers, he was drawn towards organizations that had fun while striving to do good. He traveled to Guatemala to give eye exams and glasses to the poor. He was the director of the Rotary Youth Leadership Camp for a number of years. He was an alumni of Leadership Greensboro Seniors. And, so proud of its history, he was a decades long volunteer with the Greater Greensboro Open.

Kevin was a true supporter and champion of his wife. He was an often firm but always loving father. He was a fine doctor to his patients. He was a great friend to many. He was also the oldest Kevin in N.C., or so he would say. Till his end, as far as is known, no one has ever proven otherwise. He loved to travel. He also loved golf. Often he used one as an excuse for the other. Both led him on grand adventures! He is now on his most grand adventure. It’s suspected he’ll find some time to slip away and swing the sticks there, too.

His loving wife, Victoria; his two beloved sons, Kevin Michael and Eric-Scott; his beautiful daughter-in-law, Jennifer; and his cherished grandsons, Thomas and Baxter, survive him and keep his flame. He also lives on in the hearts and family memories of his brothers and sisters, Peggy, Rita, Gerard, Richard Paul, Mary Jane, Ellen Marie, John, Regina and Eugene. In a clear testament to his patience, his in-laws Albert Vicere, Patricia Wegner, and their families still hold him dear. Finally he has rejoined with his father Alfred and mother Agnes, his brothers Ray and Kenny, other dearly departed friends and family, and the Almighty.

Visitation will be at Forbis and Dick-North Elm on Sunday, Aug. 31, from 6-8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 1, 2014, at St. Pius X Catholic Church.

The Guthrie family asks that any memorials in his name to be given to the Jana Marie Foundation, P.O. Box 651 Pine Grove Mills, Pa. 16868 or Hospice of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405.